The start of the 2023 season is two-sided for Ducati, which on the one hand celebrates the victory of the first Sprint Race in history with Pecco Bagnaia, while on the other it closes the gate on Enea Bastianini’s garage. In fact, the #23 begins his adventure with the official colors not in the best way: during today’s short race, he ended up in the gravel following an accident with Luca Marini, repairing the fracture of his right shoulder blade.
Bad tile for Ducati and for the rider from Romagna, who ends the weekend early. Taken to the medical center for a checkup after the crash, he was taken to Portimao hospital for further tests. He will therefore be unfit not only for tomorrow’s race, but also for the second round of the season at Termas de Rio Hondo, in Argentina.
Perhaps there is also the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, but it will be decided only after the medical tests. The hopes placed by Davide Tardozzi in seeing him on track next week vanished following the insights, which gave Bastianini a stop. Ducati has in fact announced via the official social media profiles that rider #23 will miss the stage in South America, scheduled for next week.
“We wish Bastianini a speedy recovery! Following today’s injury, Enea will be forced to miss tomorrow’s race and next week’s race in Argentina. The evolution of his conditions will determine his return to the track. Come back soon, Enea !!!”. This is what we read in the Ducati Corse post, which accompanies the tweet with a photo of Bastianini with his shoulder immobilized
Based on the type of fracture that will be highlighted in the tests, it will be decided whether to operate or not. Davide Tardozzi explains it himself, who reports the medical bulletin to the microphones of Sky Sport MotoGP: “They took Enea to the Portimao hospital to make further assessments and they will have to indicate whether the fracture is compound or not. If it were broken down, Doctor Angel Charte said that it will be necessary to operate”.
Enea Bastianini, Ducati Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
After Termas it’s Austin’s turn, Enea’s hunting ground. However, the Austin race is also in doubt and everything will depend on the possible operation and recovery times, which are not yet known: “The United States? Enea is very strong there, so let’s hope we can do it. I don’t know recovery times, I hope it’s at least in Texas, because Enea in Austin is the man who can beat Marquez. I hope that Pecco can beat him too, but beyond this I have strong hope”, concludes Tardozzi.
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